Preparation Is Key Before Your Body Recontouring Surgery
As with any surgery, there are steps to be taken to prepare your mind, body and home for not only your procedure, but for your recovery time as well.
How Should I Prepare My Home?
Whether you live in an apartment or home, with or without roommates, children or pets, you need to make sure the area you live in is free of clutter and other hazards that could be dangerous obstacles for you while you recover from your procedure. Clear all floor space and make sure you have an open path to all important areas of your home, such as the bathroom, kitchen and bedroom. You need to be able to navigate throughout your residence freely and easily. Clutter includes cords, pet and children’s toys, furniture, Make sure you have a flashlight as well as phone charger (or a landline phone if you prefer) not only by your bedside but right by your couch or recliner and by all other locations you may be spending the most time while recovering, in case the power goes out or there is an emergency. Nightlights are also a good investment if you don’t already own them. As stairs can be a challenge to climb while healing, it is a good idea to make sure you sleep, eat and use the bathroom on the first floor for the first week or two following your surgery.
While preparing for your surgery, it is also a good idea to make sure all of the outfits you plan on wearing are washed, dried and organized in an easily accessible area.
Your Diet Is Important Before and After Body Recontouring Surgery
Dr. Bartell and his staff will provide you with key instructions to follow before and after your surgery, such as “no food or drink after midnight the day before your surgery.” This list also includes key foods and drinks to make sure are a part of your diet. What you consume on a daily basis pre- and post-surgery is a priority that needs to be carefully maintained. Eating junk food and snacking on empty calories slows your body down, causing you to feel sluggish and preventing your body from healing quickly. By eating a proper diet of healthy foods and beverages, you help your body prepare for your upcoming surgery and keep your mind clear and focused.
Foods To Have On Hand
- Fruits and vegetables low in fiber (those high in fiber are digested slowly and you should eat foods that are passed quickly prior to surgery)
- Plenty of water
- Teas
- Lean meats and seafood
- Raw nuts
- Yogurt
- Apple cider vinegar
- Soups and broths
- Juice
Foods To Avoid
- Spicy foods
- Greasy foods
- Soda
- Foods high in fiber (they are digested slowly and you should eat foods that are passed quickly prior to surgery)
- Certain vitamins (Dr. Bartell will inform you as to which)
Mental Preparation Is Important
Regardless of the type, surgery can be an emotional experience, one that can cause nervousness in some patients. It is completely natural to feel this way before your own surgery, and there are a few steps you can mentally take for preparing for your surgery.
Discuss
If you feel like you are overwhelmed with decisions and emotions while preparing for your surgery, try calling up a close friend or family member. Releasing tension by talking with others close to you does wonders on your mind and body. Studies have shown that stress can do many negative things to you, all of which you should not suffer from before, during or after your body recontouring surgery:
- exhaustion
- anger
- headaches
- constipation
- muscle tension
- not eating enough
- depression
- inability to sleep
- substance abuse
Be sure to surround yourself with positive people who are capable of not only lifting your spirits, but also who are comfortable discussing your feelings you may have for your upcoming procedure.
Trust
With the ability to have constant information at your fingertips, it is easy to read up on your surgery, which we recommend. However, it is important to stay away from sites that post negative stories. If you know someone who didn’t have a good experience with their surgery, don’t get discouraged or worried. Their bodies are completely different from yours and in no way means anything will go wrong during your procedure. Remember to trust and listen to Dr. Bartell, who has done these types of surgeries before and has been for over 20 years. Dr. Bartell is the only board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in your exact surgery. He will be there with you every step of the way, from helping you while you are preparing for your surgery, during the appointment and afterwards as well.
Breathe
With anything in life, it is important to stay positive and focus on the good outcomes and possibilities. While you’re preparing for your surgery, one of the most overlooked parts of preparation is to take time to slow down and just breathe. It may sound like a trivial thing to do, but it couldn’t be more important, not only before your surgery to relieve anxiety, but after it as well.
Focusing your energy on relaxing and trying different breathing exercises can greatly help your body’s reactions and ability to heal. When you become too caught up with life’s stresses your mind and body are both affected. It has been proven that through meditation and simple breathing exercises, your body begins to relax, detoxify itself and boosts your immune system. It also helps control pain, which can be extremely helpful in the days following your body recontouring surgery while you heal.
Exercising: Before and After
Many patients are curious about when they can get back into their workout regimen after they have body recontouring surgery. It is understandable to feel like you need to get right back into your workout, but your body needs the proper amount of time to heal before you put any strain on it. Dr. Bartell recommends waiting to work out for at least 6 weeks, especially in the areas you had your surgery done. We know it sounds like a long time, but while your body is trying to heal itself, additional strain can slow it down and even cause damage, such as pulling out stitches or opening wounds. Always make sure you listen to Dr. Bartell, who will give you an estimated time frame you need to wait before working out again.
“Another important thing to keep in mind,” Dr. Bartell states “is that you must always keep your surgery site shielded from the sun or any tanning beds for no less than one year.”
Always Be Prepared
As we stated before, preparation for your surgery is essential. Dr. Bartell and his staff will make sure you are informed of everything you need to do while preparing for your surgery, by giving you detailed lists of what you need to keep on hand, educating you on good foods along with the kind to avoid, and by being available by phone even after hours if you need something. Dr. Bartell strives to ensure his patients are happy and healthy and will make sure you are comfortable and well taken care of before, during and after your body recontouring surgery.